Home Office

Knives: Crime

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the Youth Violence Commission’s Interim Report, published in July, that current approaches to reducing knife crime are ineffective and the focus should be to tackle the root causes of serious violence.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government has noted the findings of the Youth Violence Commission’s Interim Report published on 18 July.On 9 April 2018, the Government published the Serious Violence Strategy to set out the action it is taking to address serious violence, and in particular, the recent increases in knife crime, gun crime and homicide.The strategy represents a step change in the way we think and respond to serious violence. Our approach is not solely focused on law enforcement, very important as that is, but depends also on multi-partnership working and a ‘public health’ approach across a number of sectors such as education, health, social services, housing, youth services, victim services and others.In particular, the strategy stresses the importance of early intervention to tackle the root causes of serious violence and provide young people with the skills and resilience to lead productive lives free from violence.

Syria: White Helmets

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the statement on the resettlement of White Helmets by the Foreign Secretary and theInternational Development Secretary on 22 July, whether members of that group will be resettled in the UK.

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the statement on the resettlement of White Helmets by the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary on 22 July, whether they will ensure that before members of that group are relocated in the UK, local councils will be informed of the controversial reports relating to the White Helmets and appropriate financial and security support will be given to those councils.

baroness williams of trafford: Together with international partners, the UK is working to resettle members of the White Helmets and their families. Any resettlement to the UK would be in line with the established UNHCR process for identifying and resettling the most vulnerable refugees where resettlement is the most appropriate durable solution for their circumstances and only where the eligibility criteria for our schemes is met.We take the security of our resettlement process extremely seriously. When potential cases are submitted by the UNHCR for consideration, they are carefully screened and considered for suitability for entry to the UK. We take the utmost care to ensure that those people coming here undergo rigorous vetting.As with all refugees resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, funding would be allocated to local authorities on a per capita basis, with tariff amounts and payment terms clearly set-out in the scheme’s funding instructions. The first 12 months of a refugee's resettlement costs are funded by central government using the Official Development Assistance budget. There is also an exceptional cases fund to assist the most vulnerable refugees.

White Helmets: Syria

baroness cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the statement on the resettlement of White Helmets by the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary on 22 July,what estimate has been made of the costs to (1) the Exchequer, and (2) local government of (a) exfiltrating members of that group from Syria to the UK,(b) maintaining this group together with their families in the UK for five years, and(c) providing additional security for local communities in the UK given the group’s reported links to jihadist extremists in Syria.

baroness williams of trafford: In addition to the costs of staff time associated with facilitating the departure of White Helmets personnel and dependents from Syria we have agreed, with partners, to cover the costs of their transportation and temporary stay in Jordan through the relevant UN agencies, as necessary. We are not yet in a position to estimate the final UK contribution.As with all refugees resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, funding would be allocated to local authorities on a per capita basis, with tariff amounts and payment terms clearly set-out in the scheme’s funding instructions. There is also an exceptional cases fund to assist the most vulnerable refugees.We take the security of our resettlement process extremely seriously. When potential cases are submitted by the UNHCR for consideration, they are carefully screened and considered for suitability for entry to the UK. We take the utmost care to ensure that those people coming here undergo rigorous vetting.

Immigration

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizensnot owning property in the UK will be required to satisfy immigration authorities of income and property in the UK when applying for either EU or non-EU spouses and close family members to enter and reside in the UK after Brexit.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government is considering a range of options for the future immigration system. We will​ ​build​ ​a​ ​comprehensive​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​and​ ​interests​ ​of​ ​all​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​UK, including​ ​different​ ​sectors,​ ​businesses​ ​and​ ​communities,​ ​and​ ​look​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​a system​ ​that​ ​works​ ​for​ ​all.​We will make decisions on the future immigration system based on evidence and engagement. That is why we have asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on the economic and social impacts of the UK’s exit from the EU. When building the new system, various aspects including the creative sector will be taken into account, to ensure the future immigration system works for sectors.We will set out proposals in the autumn.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the numbers of UK citizens residing in other EU member states who do not own property in the UK.

baroness williams of trafford: We do not hold this data.

Visas

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many timesin each of the last five years have immigration officers refused permission for a short-term visitor visa on the grounds that they have not been satisfied that the applicant intends to leave the UK at the end of the period being applied for, without giving the applicant the opportunity to provideadditionalinformation.

baroness williams of trafford: Border Force does not hold the data in the requested format. Published data on refusals can be found at :https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2018/list-of-tables#visas Table vi_01_q: Entry clearance visa applications and resolution by category Resolvedof whichQuarterApplicant typeCategoryApplications Granted%Refused%WithdrawnLapsed2017 Q1Main applicantVisitors466,782440,069382,39287%56,93413%73492017 Q1DependantVisitors41,90039,63035,01888%4,51911%9302017 Q2Main applicantVisitors722,866694,142621,70190%70,92710%1,498162017 Q2DependantVisitors122,499112,339104,41493%7,7027%22032017 Q3Main applicantVisitors535,737580,486510,72088%67,90612%1,848122017 Q3DependantVisitors44,33059,63553,53290%5,96710%13602017 Q4Main applicantVisitors417,610421,871359,12085%61,77715%97042017 Q4DependantVisitors34,00534,15429,48086%4,56913%1032 20172,382,3262,096,37788%280,30112%5,60246

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Shops: Publications

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to support the long-term prosperity of independent bookshops.

lord henley: The Government wants all retailers to thrive now and in the future. In March, the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy established the industry-led Retail Sector Council to bring Government and industry together to boost the sector’s productivity and economic health. All retail activity in the UK is represented on the Council, including independent retailers. Government also engages with industry associations such as the British Independent Retailers Association to further understand the views of this important sector. In addition, on 16 July 2018 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a panel of experts, led by Sir John Timpson, to diagnose issues that currently affect the health of our high streets and advise on the best practical measures to help them thrive now and in the future. Later this summer the expert panel, in conjunction with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will put out a call for evidence seeking what members of the public and young people in particular want from the high streets of the future.

Takeovers: Foreign Companies

lord kennedy of southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the scrutiny of foreign takeovers in industries which are important to the resilience and security of the UK.

lord henley: The Government published the ‘National Security and Investment’ White Paper consultation on 24 July 2018. The White Paper sets out how the Government will reform its powers to protect national security from hostile actors using ownership of, or significant influence or control over, businesses and assets in a way that may harm the country. The Government is consulting for 12 weeks and will legislate when Parliamentary time allows.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Boris Johnson

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the daily cost to the Exchequer of the continued occupation of the Foreign Secretary's residence at Carlton Gardens by former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: There is no additional cost to the Exchequer and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is able to use the residence for official engagements as normal. Former Ministers are expected to leave official residences as quickly as practicable at the end of their tenure, taking into account their personal circumstances and family requirements. The former Foreign Secretary did so on 31 July. Until then, he continued to be responsible for paying the running costs of the private living area in the residence, for example council tax and utilities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office pays the annual rent on the property under a lease arrangement with the Crown Estate. Other costs, such as maintenance, would be incurred whether or not the residence was occupied.

Colombia: Human Rights

baroness coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the killing of nine human rights defenders in Colombia in the first week of July.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​We are concerned about reports of violence against human rights defenders and social activists in Colombia. Illegal armed groups are responsible for the majority of these attacks. In response, I welcome the recent commitment by both President Santos and President-elect Duque to new special protective measures for social leaders, especially in rural areas.

Colombia: Human Rights

baroness coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage the government of Colombia to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders to visit Colombia.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK encouraged the Colombian Government to invite the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in our submission to Colombia's Universal Periodic Review in May of this year. The British Ambassador in Bogota has also raised with the incoming Foreign Minister.

Colombia: Internally Displaced People

baroness coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their assessment that Colombia has the highest number of internally displaced persons in the world; and why, at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council, they did not include Colombia in the references made to countries where there are large numbers of internally displaced persons.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Colombia's 52 year conflict has claimed over 8 million victims including more than 7 million displaced persons. In recent years, only the conflict in Syria has seen a larger number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) caused by internal conflict.Speaking times at the Human Rights Council are limited, so it is impossible to cover every country of concern in the UK intervention. On this occasion, the UK chose to prioritise raising Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the situation for IDPs had deteriorated significantly during recent months.Concerns about major displacements in Colombia were also included the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2017 Human Rights report, published on 16 July.

Colombia: Armed Conflict

baroness coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking following the declaration by the paramilitary group Aguilas Negras that the non-governmental organisations Sisma Mujer and Somos Defensores are regarded as military targets, given that those two NGOs are in receipt of funds from the UK.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of the list of 'military targets' announced by the group that calls itself the Aguilas Negras, or 'Black Eagles'. As well as NGOs, the list also includes prominent politicians, journalists and other human rights defenders. The British Embassy in Bogota has publicly denounced these threats.

Colombia: Armed Conflict

baroness coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Colombia about the humanitarian crisis in Chocó, specifically in relation to the reports of sexual violence being used by armed actors.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bogota has raised the situation in Choco with the Colombian authorities.In September 2017, members of our Embassy in Bogota accompanied a UK delegation including the honourable Lady, on a visit to Choco, organised by the NGO ABColombia. Since then, Embassy staff have visited the region twice.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office worked closely with NGOs in preparation for Colombia's Universal Periodic Review at Geneva in May, raising concerns about violence against human rights defenders and conflict related sexual violence.

Cabinet Office

Gulf Strategy Unit

lord scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the Written Answer by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 19 October 2016 (HC47638), which department provided the funding for the administration costs of £70,004 for the Gulf Strategy Integrated Delivery Team in the financial year 2015–16.

lord young of cookham: Funding for the Integrated Delivery Team was allocated by the Treasury to the Cabinet Office in financial year 2015-16.

Public Sector: Procurement

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Tenders Electronic Daily only contains public sector tenders from within the EU;and if so, on what website or websites UK public sector tenders will be published after Brexit; and from what date will this take effect.

lord young of cookham: The awarding authorities that are eligible to publish notices on Tenders Electronic Daily can be found at the following link: https://simap.ted.europa.eu/european-public-procurement The future options for our procurement policies are being considered very carefully, but until that process is complete it would be premature to comment on the publication of UK tenders once we leave the European Union.   



Government Response to PACAC 
(PDF Document, 150.62 KB)

USA: NATO

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, during the UK visit of the President of the United States in July, the Prime Minister raised with him the importance of accuracy in statements concerning the proportion of US military expenditure spent in Europe on NATO-related defence.

lord young of cookham: The Prime Minister and the President discussed a wide range of foreign policy and security issues both during his visit to the UK and at the NATO summit in Brussels immediately prior.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Ivory: Registration

lord inglewood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated total annual gross cost of the registration scheme outlined in the Ivory Bill in respect of pre-1947 items with low ivory content; and how many items theyanticipate will be registered each year.

lord gardiner of kimble: We are working on the design and development of the new IT system to facilitate the registration process, in line with the principles of managing public money. Those registering items will need to pay a fee to cover the costs of registration. The data available does not provide an exact number of items in the UK that are made of or contain ivory. We are therefore unable to anticipate how many items owners may wish to sell, and subsequently register, each year under this exemption. We will, however, once the ban is in force, be publishing headline data on the number of exemption certificates that have been issued for each category of exemption.

Food

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Food Research Collaboration,Feeding Britain: food security after Brexit, published on 23 July;and how they intend to respond to each of its 15 recommendations.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government has noted this report. The Government regularly assesses the UK’s food security through its own channels, including through the UK Food Assessment. The UK Food Assessment is a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of food security. It draws on a wide range of indicators which are updated with varying frequency and which we monitor on an ongoing basis. We have commenced a review of the overall assessment which will be published in 2019. The UK has a high degree of food security with access to a diverse range of sources of supply, including domestic production. This will continue to be the case after we leave the EU. Food supply is highly resilient with diversity and flexibility throughout the supply chains, and industry can respond quickly to ensure ongoing supply.Leaving the EU provides us with a major opportunity to set up new frameworks for supporting our farmers to grow more, sell more and export more great British food. We will work with all those who have an interest in the future of food and farming as we develop a new approach that works for our industry.

Sky Lanterns

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to the public, property and crops from sky lanterns.

lord gardiner of kimble: In 2013, the UK and Welsh Governments jointly commissioned an independent study entitled ‘Sky lanterns and helium balloons: an assessment of impacts on livestock and the environment’ to identify and assess their impacts and risks primarily to livestock and the environment, but also their fire risk and the damage they do to crops. The report concluded that while the impact on livestock and the environment is low, there is however a potential fire safety risk. There is a responsibility on individuals to recognise the impact these products can have, particularly on very dry land and in periods of very hot weather such as we have experienced in recent weeks.

Farmers: Supermarkets

baroness kennedy of cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support fairness in the supply chain for farmers and growers.

lord gardiner of kimble: It is important that farmers and growers are treated fairly by other operators in the supply chain. The Groceries Code Adjudicator plays an important role in making sure that businesses who supply directly to large supermarkets are treated lawfully and fairly. Many farmers and producers do not supply supermarkets directly, and earlier this year the Government announced a package of measures to help farmers by improving transparency and integrity in the supply chain. These measures included: A £10 million collaboration fund to support farmers to come together and strengthen their position in the supply chain. This fund will be launched later this year.A commitment to explore with industry how the collection and dissemination of market data can be improved in the longer-term to drive greater supply chain transparency.Launching consultations on mandatory written contracts in the dairy sector and on carcase classification for sheep. The latter is underway and closes on 23rd August. We are also acting to tackle the late payment culture across all sectors. The Small Business Commissioner was appointed in October 2017, and earlier this year the Chancellor announced a call for evidence on how to eliminate unfair payment practices to small businesses, which will seek views on how the Government can go further to deliver a fair payment culture.